GST rejig a Diwali gift for Delhiites: Minister

As part of Seva Pakhwada, being observed from September 17 to October 2, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Thursday led a ‘Gratitude March’ in Posangipur Market, Janakpuri Assembly Constituency, with the aim to spread awareness about the GST reforms brought by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Interacting with shopkeepers and other citizens during the march, Sood said: “Modi has given Delhiites a Diwali gift before the festival.”

He said the simplified GST structure, with significant rate cuts, would create a “new milestone in India’s taxation journey”, while boosting Delhi’s economy, generating jobs, and ensuring greater transparency in the system. Sood said: “Tax has come down, and purchasing goods has become easier. This will not only boost sales for shopkeepers but also benefit customers.” He said middle-class families, small traders, service professionals, and business owners in Delhi would particularly gain from the reforms, as these “will ease people’s lives, put more money in their pockets, and enhance trade”.

Sood said the reforms reaffirmed India’s commitment to a simplified and growth-oriented taxation system. “We must both buy and sell ‘Made in India’ products. That is the path to making India an economic superpower.” He described GST 2.0 as a crucial step toward ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Swadeshi’, designed to create a “virtuous cycle of growth” with long-term relief. Delving into the functioning of the reforms, the minister said essential educational items such as workbooks, pencils, crayons, erasers, and sharpeners were now under the zero per cent GST slab, reducing financial burden on families. GST on 33 life-saving drugs and diagnostic kits had been cut from 12 per cent to zero, while the rate on ayurveda, unani, and homeopathy medicines had been reduced from 12 per cent to five, he added.

Traders of Posangipur Market welcomed the reforms, stating that the reduced GST rates had increased sales and allowed them to purchase household goods at cheaper prices, turning a ‘savings festival’ into a reality. The minister said, through Seva Pakhwada, the government was delivering “direct relief and convenience to people”. He added, “For the past 10 days, our team has been visiting every shop and market to inform people about the ‘savings festival. Citizens are very happy with this initiative, and when they experience actual savings, their satisfaction and happiness are clearly visible on their faces.”